Awards and Honors:
2023 Phil Steele FCS Fourth Team Freshman All-America (DB)
UAC Freshman of the Week: Nov. 13 (2023)
Athletics Director's Honor Roll (F23)
2023: A Phil Steele FCS Fourth Team Freshman All-America selection, he played in all 12 games and made nine starts at safety… Recorded six tackles and a forced fumble in his collegiate debut at Southern Illinois (Sept. 2)… Tallied five tackles and a half tackle for loss at Stephen F. Austin (Sept. 23)… Added four tackles and a sack at Lindenwood (Sept. 30)… Had five tackles and a pass breakup at Southern Utah (Oct. 21)… Recorded 10 tackles, a tackle for loss, and a pass breakup against North Alabama (Oct. 28)… Had five tackles and a pass breakup against Utah Tech (Nov. 11) to earn UAC Freshman of the Week honors… Had 12 tackles, a career-high 1.5 tackles for loss, and a pass breakup against Central Arkansas (Nov. 18)… Posted a career-high 13 tackles along with a tackle for loss and two pass breakups in the FCS Playoffs First Round against Chattanooga (Nov. 25)… Finished the season with 75 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble, and seven pass breakups… Ranked third on the team and 15th in the UAC in total tackles… Led all UAC freshmen in tackles, totaling 20 more tackles than the next closest freshman in the league…Led Austin Peay defensive backs in tackles, tackles for loss, and sacks… Ranked ninth in the UAC and second on the team in pass breakups… Also was tied for the team led with four total special teams tackles and led the Govs with four tackles on punt coverage.
Prior to Austin Peay: Spent the 2022 season at Colorado but did not see action for the Buffaloes.
High School: Played quarterback, running back, defensive back, and returned kicks for head coach Boone Williams at Langston Hughes High School after spending his freshman season at Holy Innocents' Episcopal School… Completed 126-of-272 passes for 1,789 yards and 20 touchdowns during his prep career while also rushing 170 times for 1,274 yards and 18 touchdowns… On the defensive side of the ball, he recorded 40 tackles, three interceptions, and two pass breakups for the Panthers… Due to injury, he played in just eight games during his senior season, but he helped lead Langston Hughes to a 13-2 record and an appearance in the 6A State Championship while being named the region’s player of the year… Was an All-Region 4-6A selection at quarterback during his junior campaign after completing 76-of-155 passes for 1,232 yards and 14 touchdowns with just one interception, he also added 96 rushes for 794 yards and eight touchdowns… Also competed in track and field for the Panthers and was the state runner-up in the 400 meters, 4x100-meter relay, and 4x400-meter relay while finishing sixth in the 200 meters – he earned all-state honors in all four events.
Personal: Xavier Lonza Smith is the son of Calvin and LaToya Smith… Birthday is Sept. 20… Has one sibling, Sydney… A health and human performance major with a sport and wellness specialist concentration.
